Cleaning device



,July 14, 1936- c. R'. SHANNON CLEANING DEVICE Filed May 2l, 1955 INVENTOR 0R. Shannon BY f ATTORNEYS Patented July i4, 1936 UNITED STATES 2,047,231 CLEANING DEVICE Charles R. Shannon, Harlan, Ky., assignor of one-half to T. R. Creech, Twila, Ky.

Application May 21, 1935, Serial No. 22,636

Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a device for cleaning a flat surface, and one which may be used advantageously for cleaning an automobile windshield.

6 An object of the invention is the provision of a device of the indicated character, which, by reason of the character of the materials used and the features of construction, will be effectual in use, durable, and inexpensive.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device embodying a heating means which will be eiective for removing ice or frost from a windshield in cold weather.

With the foregoing, other objects of the invention will appear from the embodiment of the invention, which, by way of example, is described in the following speciiication and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through a device embodying the features of the invention, the device being shown in use;

Figure 2 is a view of the device looking toward the scraper edges thereof; and y Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the several views of the drawing, it will be apparent, that the device of the present invention, generally stated, comprises a rigid element or bar Il) and a plurality of elongated scraper sections I I, which are connected with the element I0 for movement therewith and with respect thereto, said sections II being arranged endwise in alinement with respect to each other. The element IIJ is constructed preferably of metal and is of channel formation or substantially U-shape in cross-section throughout its length. The scraper sections II are similar in construction and are approximately equal in length. .It is to be understood that these sections II may be of any preferred length, and that any suitable number may be employed, there being three in the present instance. Each of the scraper sections is made of flexible metal, such as razor sheet steel. Each of the sections II is developed from a single piece of this kind of metal to make the same of channel construction consisting of a crosssectionally U-shaped ridge or back portion I2 and relatively divergent portions I3 integral with the portion I2. In other words, the portions I3 are joined by the ridge or back portion I2 throughout the length thereof. Each of the portions I3 is beveled or sharpened to provide theV same with a knife edge I4. The edges I4 diverge with respect to each other, or, in other words, the edges I4 are directed oppositely with respect to each other. Each of the scraper sections II is tapered so that when the sections are brought together in end to end relation, the adjacent ends of the sections are lapped as at I5. 5 It will be obvious that in lapping the sections II, the small end of one section iits in the large adjacent end of another section I I, as shown most clearly in Figure 2. By lapping the sections I I in the manner illustrated continuous or uninter- 10 rupted scraping or wiping edges will be provided, thereby eliminating streaking of the surface being cleaned. Each of the sections II is connected with the rigid element Il] by a pivot pin or the like I6' extending transversely through theele- 15 ment I0 and the ridge or back portion I2 of the section I I. Each section I I is allowed to have movement with respect to the element II) and with respect to each other, in order to give a certain amount of flexibility, in consequence of 20 which the edges I4 will always be in contact with the surface to be cleaned throughout the length of the device.

In order to oscillate the device with the edges I4 in contact with the surface to be cleaned, the 25 element I0 has a hook I1 which is engageable with an arm I8 constituting a part of a suitable motor driven oscillator (not shown) lin common use and which is usually mounted on the windshield at the top thereof. In the drawing, a portion of the windshield is designated by the numeral I9. I

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the device is heated by suitable means, in order to melt frost or ice on the surface to be cleaned, while the device is in operation. As shown in the present instance, use is made of an electrical heating element or coil 2D, which is disposed Within the alined scraper sections I I, pref- 40 erably in the ridge or back portions I2 thereof, as shown. The coil 20 is supported by the pins I6. An insulator 2l surrounds two of the pins I6, and a portion of the coil 20 is looped around each insulator 2 I, and one terminal of the coil 20 is wrapped 45 around the remaining bare pin I6, so that electrical connection will be established between one end of the coil 20 and the element Ill and the arm I8. The other terminal of the coil 20 is electrically connected with a suitable switch 22 included in an 50 electrical circuit with a suitable source of electrical energy 23 and the arm I8, as shown diagrammatically in Figure 1. 'I'he ridge or back portions I2 of the scraper sections are lined with suitable insulating and heat resisting material 2l, the same being held in place by the pins I8.

In lieu of the electrical heating means. one of the scraper sections I I, preferably the upper section, may be provided with nipple 25 for connection with a suitable hot air tube (not shown) to deliver the air interiorly of the sections I I for the purpose of heating the sections and also melting frost and ice on the surface to be cleaned, while the device is in operation.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that when the device is oscillated, or moved in opposite directions, the oppositely directed knife edges Il in contact with the surface to be cleaned will remove any matter adhering thereto, such as dust, dirt, or moisture; and that said edges will also serve to scrape the coating of frost or ice from the outer surface of a windshield while the device is in operation and heated by the means hereinabove referred t0. It will also be obvious that the other objects of the invention mentioned hereinabove may be attained with a device having the features set forth.

I claim:

l. A device movable in opposite directions with respect to a iiat surface to clean it, including a bar, and a plurality of elongated scraper sections connected with said bar for movement therewith and with respect thereto, said sections being arranged endwise in alinement with respect to each other and the adjacent ends thereof being lapped.

2. A device movable in opposite directions with respect to a flat surface to clean it, including a bar, and a plurality of elongated scraper sections connected with said bar for movement therewith and with respect thereto. said sections being arranged endwise in alinement with respect to each other, each of sald sections having spaced and 5 oppositely directed longitudinal knife edges, the adjacent ends of said edges being lapped.

3. A scraper comprising a bar, a plurality of elongated scraper sections of flexible metal, said sections being arranged endwise in alinement with respect to each other and the adjacent ends thereof being lapped. and a pivotal connection between the bar and each scraper section, the pivot of said connection extending approximately at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axes of the bar and related scraper section.

4. A scraper comprising a bar, a plurality of flexible metal scraper sections of channel construction to provide spaced and oppositely directed longitudinal scraper edges, and means pivotally connecting said sections wth said bar endwise in alinement with respect to each other, the adjacent ends of said edges being lapped.

5. A scraper comprising a bar, a plurality of flexible metal scraper sections of channel construction to provide spaced and oppositely directed longitudinal scraper edges, and means pivotally connecting said sections with said bar endwise in alinement with respect to each other, each of said sections being tapered by virtue of which the adjacent ends of said edges are lapped.

C. R. SHANNON. 

